AUDIO/VIDEO PRODUCTION TIPS

Spending time to plan what your final product will look like and sound like is the key to producing a successful video. Here are some tips to help you produce a winning video.

READ a book on home video production whether you are a novice producer/ director, or just to brush up on your technique. Suggested references include: Camcorder Video: Shooting and Editing Techniques, 1991, by Joan Merrill, Prentice Hall. Video Power: A Complete Guide to Writing, Planning & Shooting Videos by Shactman and Shelare, H. Holt & Co. Home Video Made Easy by K. and D. Muse, Prentice-Hall. OTHER RESOURCES: Invite someone from your local TV station or your local camcorder dealer to give a talk on video production techniques. Some schools are lucky enough to have their own technical department or a parent involved in the business - don't hesitate to utilize your own resources.

Is there a director in you waiting to show your stuff? Are you another Disney or Pixar star?

VIDEO MAKE sure that you are familiar with all your camcorder's functions. Read the manual! Always use additional lighting when shooting indoors. Shots into the sun become silhouettes. Speak clearly and distinctly. Speak directly into the microphone, no more than 3 feet away! Use an outside mixer for better sound.

Changing shot sizes makes the video more interesting. Vary between close-ups for details, moving out to medium range and long shots.

Editing between shot sizes adds impact. Don't rely on the zoom for all changes. Simple graphics can be created by shooting a few frames of drawings.

If you have access to a Super VHS, please use it. They reproduce a higher quality video which will show much better at the Film Festival if you win.

AUDIO - Read the equipment manuals! - Try and use a recorder with a separate microphone. - Speak directly into the microphone. - Add background sound for a more interesting Envirommercial©. - Use a high quality tape and make sure that your clip is right at the beginning of the tape!

Keep in mind what the judges will be looking for:

Technical Quality Performance Quality Creativity Factual Information

** Warning: As simple as it sounds, we need to be able to hear you! PLEASE check the sound quality of your video before you submit it. If you can't hear the script clearly... neither will we!

Four steps to a great video

Long Shot: full people and background	Mid Shot: 1 or 2 people no background	Close-Up: 1 person only the face

Use long shots, mid shots and close-ups to plan your video in the boxes below. The video should be very short, like a TV commercial.

#1.	#2.	#3.
#4.	#5.	#6.

Introduction Speaker #1: Speaker #2: Background Sound: Body Speaker #1: Speaker #2: Speaker #1: Speaker #2: Background Sound: Closing Speaker #1: Speaker #2: Background Sound: